Title: Can Muslims be Friends with Outsiders? - Aal Imraan 3: 118 Question: One of the objections raised by Ibn Warraq ( http://www.secularhumanism.org/wtc.htm ) is that in Aal Imraan 3: 118, the Qur'an says that Muslims cannot be friends with outsiders. Nexus Answer: Before commenting specifically on the referred verse, I would like to point out that the referred (and the succeeding part of Surah Aal Imraan relates to the time, when the Muslim armies had to resort to retreat in the battle of Uhud. The Surah, in fact, details the lessons that the Muslims should learn from the battle of Uhud. Thus, it is clear that the Surah relates to a time when the Muslims were under extreme threat of aggression from Mekkah and its open and hidden allies. Keeping the foregoing point in perspective, if we take a look at the referred verse, you shall see that the verse does not actually prohibit 'friendship' between Muslims and those ascribing to other creeds. The word used in the referred verse is 'Bitanah' , which refers to a relationship of intimacy in which a person shares his secrets with others. In view of the preceding explanation, it should be clear that the referred verse actually prohibited the Muslims of Medinah, while they were facing extreme danger of aggression and war, from sharing their secrets with those, whose enmity with them had become quite evident. What else should have been a reasonable directive under the circumstances? It is for the reader to decide. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad October 4, 2001